Our summer term has certainly been busy and a little emotional as we bid farewell to our Year 13 students. They ended their CCS journey with a wonderful Dinner Dance at the Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Please read on to find out more!
Matthew’s Walk For Young Minds UK
Back in April, Year 12 student Matthew took on an epic walking challenge in order to raise money for Young Minds UK. He travelled to the Isle of Wight and walked 52km in one day; through his JustGiving page Matthew raised over £500 for the charity. Well done Matthew! Below Matthew explains why he decided to take on such a challenge and why he chose to support Young Minds.
I decided to take on this Ultra Challenge which meant walking 52km in one day covering half the coast of the Isle of Wight. A tough challenge for anyone but even more so for me as I have dyspraxia which affects my balance and coordination. Young Minds is a great charity and I’m proud that I was able to raise money for them. As someone with autism, I know how important it is to find ways to look after your mental health, particularly if you’re feeling anxious or under pressure. I used the walk to help me get fit and de-stress – but it’s great to know there are charities out there like Young Minds to support us if we need it.
Matthew Martin Yr 12
Year 12 Brain Day
In May the Psychology Department warmly welcomed Neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton to run the prestigious ‘Brain Day’ with Year 12 students. The day enriched the students above and beyond the A-level Psychology syllabus but also embedded their knowledge from Biopsychology this year.
Dr Sutton from Nottingham University Medical School, inspired psychology students with a day of lectures, including how brain tumours can be a direct cause of criminal behaviour. He also talked about the future of cutting-edge brain research such as the technology that can turn our thoughts into sounds, predicting that soldiers in the future will communicate via thought-based technologies.
As part of the day the students watched and partook in a live sheep brain dissection, learning about how the brain affects our behaviour. For example, the students saw how the olfactory bulbs (used for smelling) enter the hippocampus (important for memory), which explains why certain smells trigger specific memories. Students were privileged to hold the hippocampus in their hands which is part of the brain responsible for some long-term memory formation.
The students had a thoroughly enjoyable day, which has given them insight into potential future careers and enriched their psychological knowledge.
Staff vs Students Rounders & Football!
Before leaving at the end of May some of our Year 13 students challenged the staff to a ‘Clash of the Titans’ style rounders match and football match! Staff and students from across the school were invited to come along and watch both the events (which took place on different days) and also make a donation; the Sixth Form charity committee decided that all the money raised (£280) should go towards the ‘Help the Ukraine’ fund.
After a tightly fought battle the staff were triumphant in rounders with a win of 9 runs to 6! The football match ended in a draw of 2-2.
PJ Day
In May we held our annual PJ Day to raise money for a chosen charity. This year our Sixth Form charity committee decided that the money would also go towards the ‘Help The Ukraine’ fund. Both students and staff donned their PJ’s and enjoyed a comfy, sleepy day while also raising £194 for a very worthwhile cause.
Award Winners
Here are some of our Award Winners from last year, finally pictured with their trophies! Congratulations to Year 12 students Odette, Ed, Zac, Joel and Taylor.
Year 13 Nostalgia Day
Year 13 stepped back in time at the end of May and celebrated their ‘Nostalgia Day’. Dressed in their old uniforms they enjoyed a day of reminiscing with fellow students and staff.
Year 13’s Final Day
On May 20th we bid farewell to our Year 13’s; the day included signing of Yearbooks, a final assembly of memories, photos, awards and student performances as well as a BBQ.
Year 12 Higher Education Day
In June, it was the Year 12 HE Day. Representatives from the University of Bangor, Oxford Brookes University, UCFB, University of Lincoln and Workpays (Apprenticeships) delivered sessions covering a range of topics including ‘How to choose the right course’, ‘Personal Statements’, ‘The Application Process’ and ‘Apprenticeship Opportunities’. 
Court Barn Volunteering
Our students are encouraged to engage in volunteering activities if possible in order to help enrich their experiences outside of school. This term we were delighted to welcome Sue and Jennifer from the Court Barn Museum in Chipping Campden who spoke to some of our students about the museum and the benefits of volunteering.
The Sky Is The Limit!
Year 12 student Thomas Bolam recently completed his Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) after a year of written exams, flight training, and then a flying skills test the day before his 17th birthday. Thomas then submitted his application for the licence on the day of his 17th birthday, as soon as possible! He is now the holder of a PPL and enjoys flying his new co-owned aircraft to build hours and have fun flying family and friends. Huge congratulations Thomas! We look forward to a flight on ‘Thomas Air’ one day in the future!
Birmingham UCAS Exhibition
On the 20th June Year 12 students attended the UCAS Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. It provided them with an excellent opportunity to chat with UCAS experts, university representatives and employers.
Dance Olympics 2022
Dancers from Chipping Campden School took part in the Dance Olympics 2022 in Liverpool. Seen as one of the toughest events ever conceived in the dance world, competitors had to work in all genres of dance including Ballet, Contemporary, Commercial and Jazz. We were delighted to hear that Year 13 student Summah Hope won Dancer of the Year 2022, and Year 12 student Alice Brown won the Gold Medal in Contemporary Dance. This also came with a scholarship for Pineapple Studios Summer Camp 2022 and a 10-week scholarship with Joshua Pilmore in London this winter. This is the first year that Ms Torley, Head of Dance, has been invited to take her academy students to this event and she not only praised the students’ individual performances but was overjoyed to see RTDA on the leader board.
‘Out Of This World’ Science & Religion Conference
Twelve of our Year 12 students recently attended the ‘Out of this World’ Science and Religion Conference at Worcester University. The key question of the day was ‘Should we be allowed to populate Proxima Centauri b, an exoplanet capable of supporting life?’ The students attended presentations, seminars and workshops with the aims of the conference being: To encourage students to work collaboratively with students from other schools, To help students to think deeply about different perspectives to answer life’s big questions, To develop debating skills.
Sixth Form Induction Days
We were delighted to welcome all our Sixth Form Applicants for their Induction Days this month. During their time with us they were able to meet their fellow applicants, attend taster A Level lessons, chat to staff, and get a feel of what life will be like as part of our Sixth Form. We look forward to seeing them again on Results Day in August.
Royal Holloway Psychology Competition
Year 12 students Scarlett Bennett, Olivia Dudfield and Rhiannon Griffiths did the school proud after being the first ever team from CCS to enter the Royal Holloway University national Psychology Competition. On Wednesday 29th June they spent the day on campus competing against 24 other teams. Prior to the competition day the students had to research a topic of their choice and make a video and poster on ‘How Psychology can help society’. The group decided to investigate how psychology can help overcome the wealth divide. We are extremely proud of the students going outside of their comfort zone and gaining invaluable experience.
Apprenticeship Success!
A number of our Year 13 students have recently found out that they have secured places on a variety of apprenticeship schemes.
Isaac Allport – I’m starting an apprenticeship degree on the 1st of July. I will be a software developer specialising in C#, HTML and Swift development. In return for working they’ll pay for me to go to university 1 day a week along with a salary to live off, meaning no student loans! The company I’ll work at is called 360 Systems, they’re a Microsoft business partner and specialise in custom applications developed for Windows based systems.
Year 12 Work Experience
Over 130 of our Year 12 students spent the last full week of the term at various work experience placements, some with local employers and some more further afield. Placements this year include: Castle Fine Art, Heart of England Forest, Metropolitan Police Service, Longborough Festival Opera, University of Warwick, Film Oxford, Abbey Green Vets, Tyack Architects, Cotswold Farm Park, Rotec Engineering Ltd, Oxford University Hospitals.
We have had some fantastic feedback from employers about our students:
Mickleton Hills Farm – (The student) ‘seems to have enjoyed her time with us so far and she has taken on quite a bit of responsibility, including sole responsibility for stock control and ordering for our next wedding, which she excelled at. I couldn’t speak higher of her work ethic.’
School Lane Nursery – (The student) ‘is doing really well with us, she arrives every morning at 8.30am and is eager to help with getting the nursery set up. She helps all the children with their needs and always gets down to their level. It has been a pleasure having her with us this week.’
Goodwill & Growth for Africa – (The student) ‘has been a delight. She’s worked so hard, has had some great ideas and contributed enormously to this event. She’s a fabulous ambassador for the school’.
New Head Boy Louis Parr had a wonderful week at a local Primary School, and gained experience in classes across the two key stages from Reception right up to Year 6. He loved working with all the children but admitted that he’s realised how tiring teaching can be!
Another student who secured a placement at a local Primary School was Sophie Squires; Sophie also enjoyed her time supporting pupils in class and gaining experience of working within a Primary environment.
Imogen Wood travelled to London to work at ‘Various Eateries’ within their branding and marketing team.
Year 13 Dinner Dance 2022
On Friday 8th July Year 13 students and members of staff gathered at The Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon for the Leavers Dinner Dance 2022. Thankfully the weather was very kind and the students were able to enjoy the stunning views from the terrace as well as a three course meal and disco. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Year 13 students Jemima Myatt and Rosie Sutton who organised all the decorations for the room and tables. A wonderful evening was had by all and it was the perfect way to commemorate their time at CCS. Good luck Year 13!
